Steve Smith is untouchable

Written By komlim puldel on Kamis, 26 Maret 2015 | 20.01

Cricket World Cup: Australia had an early chance to dismiss Rohit Sharma, and although Shane Watson got a hand to it, the umpires ruled somewhat controversially that it did not carry.

Michael Clarke will lead Australia in a World Cup semi-final for the first time.Source: AFP

AUSTRALIA charged into the World Cup final with a dominant 95-run victory against India on Thursday as that man Steve Smith once again stole the show.

The breakout star of the Australian summer scored a brilliant century off just 89 deliveries to help set up Australia's mammoth score of 328 and then provided two sensational moments in the field.

The home side had the game well in control after Mitch Johnson and Josh Hazlewood ripped through the Indian top order but needed to break a 70-run fifth wicket partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni to be certain of victory.

It was Smith who provided the inspiration, imploring his teammates to refer a caught behind decision against Rahane off Mitchell Starc's bowling which noone else looked particular interested in.

But one of the greatest referrals in DRS history showed Rahane had sent the faintest of edges through to Haddin and he was sent on his way.

Still unsatisfied, Smith capped his night by producing a direct hit run out from backward point to remove Ravi Jadeja late in the Indian innings.

But it was by no means a one man show as Aaron Finch (81) and Mitchell Johnson (27 from nine balls) made important contributions with the bat.

After a worrying start, the bowling unit then did the job with the ball as Starc, James Faulkner, Johnson and Hazlewood shared the wickets.

Smith's run out was upstaged in the final overs when Glenn Maxwell pulled out a direct hit of his own to run out MS Dhoni.

Maxwell only had one stump to aim at but sent a perfect throw to the bowler's end to kill off India's chance of victory.

Australia will now face New Zealand in the final at the MCG on Sunday.

9.30pm — A TIMELY REFERRAL

Just listen to Steve Smith, Hads.Source: AFP

THE faintest of edges has cost Ajinkya Rahane his wicket in a bizarre dismissal.

Most of the Australian fielders barely reacted when Mitchell Starc sent a delivery passed Rahane through to Brad Haddin, but Steve Smith heard something and talked the wicketkeeper into referring the decision to the third umpire.

Snicko showed a tiny bit of movement when the ball passed Rahane's bat and he became Starc's first victim of the game.

India is 5/179, requiring 150 runs from the final 13 overs.

9.10pm — INDIA YET TO ACCELERATE

Glenn Maxwell bowled five tidy overs.Source: AFP

THE fifth wicket partnership betwen Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni has passed 50 but the run rate required for an Indian victory is now north of 10 runs an over.

Rahane has scored just one boundary in his innings of 37 from 59 deliveries. Dhoni has scored 26 from 29 but India still needs 168 runs to win from the last 100 balls.